Replies

1. 
   SCaseria | Mar 15, 2005 10:54pm | #1

   I've used a Dremel to remove grout between shower tiles and it worked great (there's a grout removal kit available), but what you have might be too big a job for it.

   The angle grinder seems like a risky proposition if you're not careful.

   6milessouth

2. 
   calvin | Mar 15, 2005 11:08pm | #2

   I never cut that many tiles out in one sitting with the multimaster and the expensive diamond grout blade but it does work.  The blade is an eighth thick maybe and the slight oscillating of the Fein multimaster makes it accurate.  I don't know if the speed would excite you.  I removed probably 8 tiles (6" quarry) in an adjacent (up to toe kick) area in maybe 15 minutes.  I used the tool so I did no damage to the next rows, they were alternating like brick.  The mess was concentrated to right there on the tile, way better than an angle grinder. 

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

1. 
   RW | Mar 16, 2005 12:54am | #3

   FWIW, 36x36x76 shower, 3" tiles, regrout. Removed all the old in about 3 1/2 hours with the multimaster. It was a lifesaver that day."If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

3. 
   buildit4you | Mar 16, 2005 12:57am | #4

   I've gone the dry diamond blade many, many times. It will also work well removing/lowering the thinset the tile is laid in. Just ten cuidado! (be careful)

   PLP

   Good times, riches and Son of a _itches

   I've seen more than I can recall.

   J. Buffett

4. 
   gdcarpenter | Mar 16, 2005 01:47am | #5

   Dremel, carbide bit - chews through the stuff great.

   Let's not confuse the issue with facts!

5. 
   JohnSprung | Mar 16, 2005 03:53am | #6

   Small wet diamond saw for the field, taking *great* care to cut the grout, not the tile.  Diamond hand grout saw to finish up what the circular can't reach.

    

   -- J.S.

    

6. 
   joeh | Mar 16, 2005 04:48am | #7

   You are replacing the tile? Cut the tile close to the grout line, break out the remainder from the outside.

   Joe H

7. 
   DaneB | Mar 16, 2005 05:50am | #8

   My boss and I do tile in commercial settings and we use a side grinder with a diamond blade about 3'' across.  If you are removing  several tiles in one place then a chisel and hammer will work by starting in the middle of them along a grout line.

   It is also great for when you have to cut holes in the middle of the tile for drains.

   Dane

   I will always be a beginner as I am always learning.

8. 
   Mitremike | Mar 16, 2005 07:26am | #9

   I've seen but never used a blade attachment for a recip. saw that has a 2 or 3 inch drop and a blade on the end covered with diamond grit that I would imagine would be rather controlable, and with the vari speed on the saw would let you work away on it once you established a center line.

   Think I have seen it in the Tool Crib mag. but not entirely sure.

   Mike

9. 
   davidmeiland | Mar 16, 2005 08:53am | #10

   Definitely go with the Fein. We had to un-grout an entire 5x5x9' tall shower done in 4x4 and 12x12 because the tilesetter used the wrong color. The Fein has a gnarly diamond-grit blade a$$ortment that you can buy and it absolutely buzzes thru grout like butter. You will also want the vacuum attachment so you can connect your (of course) Fein vacuum. You will probably need a Dremel to take the last 2% of the grout off the edges of the tile near the faces.

1. 
   Sancho | Mar 16, 2005 05:24pm | #11

   If you are replacing the tile,

   Use a multi master or even a angle grinder to score the grout around the perimeter of the tile to be replaced.

   Then take a chisel and carefully bust up and remove the tile.

   There is another tool to just replace the grout.

   I havent used it

   But if I had a job the size of yours I would give it a try.

   its a attachment to the sawlzal.

   looks like it would do the job.

   i would give that a try 

    

    

    

    

    

    

     Buck Construction 

      Artistry in Carpentry

           Pgh, PA

    

          

    

                                 ....                                                                                                     

1. 
   BillHartmann | Mar 17, 2005 01:23am | #12

   Here is the sawzall tool, Grout Graberhttp://www.groutgrabber.com/index.htmlAnd here is a directory with links to several tools and articles.http://removing-grout.greatgrout.com/dir/removing-grout/P01L01.html